By Precious Owolabi, Ado-Ekiti
The Ekiti State Government, in collaboration with the TRACE Project, has distributed irrigation pumps valued at about N10 million to 28 cocoa nursery operators across various local government areas of the state.
Presenting the irrigation kits in Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, said the beneficiaries had earlier undergone training in modern techniques and best practices in raising cocoa seedlings to enhance cocoa production in the state.
Boluwade explained that the initiative forms part of the state government’s broader agricultural development strategy, which includes a 10-year policy plan aimed at positioning Ekiti among the top three cocoa-producing states in Nigeria.
He noted that the government’s long-term ambition is to make Ekiti the leading cocoa producer in the country, surpassing the record achieved during the era of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the old Ondo State.
He added that achieving this target would require the production of about 10 million cocoa seedlings, hence the decision to train and empower cocoa nursery operators to supply high-quality seedlings to farmers across the state.
The commissioner commended the TRACE Project for its partnership and support for the state’s cocoa development agenda, urging the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the irrigation kits to boost productivity.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Babatope Ojo, appreciated the Federal Government, the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the TRACE Project for the intervention.
He said the initiative would further strengthen ongoing efforts to expand cocoa production in Ekiti and advised the beneficiaries to utilise the equipment responsibly to improve their farming operations and livelihoods.
Also speaking, a representative of the TRACE Project, Mr Adedigba Fisayo, disclosed that the project has trained and provided agricultural inputs to over 15,000 farmers since its launch in Ekiti State in 2022.
He added that Ekiti is among the six states selected to benefit from the project nationwide.
Adedigba explained that the 28 beneficiaries were carefully selected in 2025 and trained as cocoa nursery operators to support the state government’s plan to significantly expand cocoa production.
He warned against diverting the equipment for purposes other than those intended, stressing that the project reserves the right to withdraw the materials if they are misused.
In their remarks, the TRACE Project Desk Officer in the ministry, Mr Akerele Olalekan, and one of the beneficiaries from Ilumoba-Ekiti, Mr Onamadi Michael, expressed gratitude to the state government and the TRACE Project for the support.
They assured that the beneficiaries would make effective use of the irrigation kits to support increased cocoa production in Ekiti State.